US20140374127A1 - System for self-protection against forest fires in an urban forest interface - Google Patents

System for self-protection against forest fires in an urban forest interface Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20140374127A1
US20140374127A1 US14/371,583 US201314371583A US2014374127A1 US 20140374127 A1 US20140374127 A1 US 20140374127A1 US 201314371583 A US201314371583 A US 201314371583A US 2014374127 A1 US2014374127 A1 US 2014374127A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
water
forest
sprinklers
area
urban
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/371,583
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ferran Dalmau Rovira
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MEDI XXI GSA SL
Original Assignee
MEDI XXI GSA SL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MEDI XXI GSA SL filed Critical MEDI XXI GSA SL
Assigned to MEDI XXI GSA, S.L. reassignment MEDI XXI GSA, S.L. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DALMAU ROVIRA, FERRAN
Publication of US20140374127A1 publication Critical patent/US20140374127A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A62C3/02—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires
    • A62C3/0278—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires by creating zones devoid of flammable material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C2/00—Fire prevention or containment
    • A62C2/06—Physical fire-barriers
    • A62C2/08—Water curtains
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A62C3/02—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A62C3/02—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires
    • A62C3/0214—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires for buildings or installations in fire storms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A62C3/02—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires
    • A62C3/0257—Fire curtains, blankets, walls, fences
    • A62C3/0264—Fire curtains, blankets, walls, fences by creating water curtains
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A62C3/02—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires
    • A62C3/0292—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places for area conflagrations, e.g. forest fires, subterranean fires by spraying extinguishants directly into the fire
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C35/00—Permanently-installed equipment
    • A62C35/58—Pipe-line systems
    • A62C35/68—Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/36—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • A62C99/0009—Methods of extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire by cooling down or suffocating the flames
    • A62C99/0063—Methods of extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire by cooling down or suffocating the flames with simultaneous removal of inflammable materials

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for self-protection against forest fires especially designed for protecting constructions, homes, industrial installations, urban communities, etc., which are surrounded by or close to woods or forest areas.
  • the system of the invention represents a huge advantage in the intervention in emergencies in the fight against forest fires today, as well as for civil protection of people living in populated groups or homes located in forest areas given that it considerably improves the safety conditions of any person or structure which may be affected by the fire.
  • the system of the invention is based on the combination of preventive planning, which adapts to each specific situation, and in the arrangement or installation of hydraulic and technical means intended for preventing or obstructing the fire from spreading from forest area towards the structure or urban community to be protected.
  • firebreaks which consist of areas of separation between forest stands for the purpose of preventing fires from spreading from one stand to another.
  • the object of the present invention is a system for self-protection against fires, applicable to protecting urban communities, industrial installations, homes and the like which are surrounded by or close to forest stands at risk of being reached by a possible fire of said stands.
  • the system of the invention is essentially based on creating an area lacking combustible vegetation and a damp outer area surrounding the community or structure to be protected and being preventive in nature.
  • the system of the invention comprises the preventive creation of a protective area around the urban community or installation to be protected, isolating said community from the forest environment, and the assembly of a hydraulic water supply system in said area capable of covering at least the protective area.
  • This protective area is formed by a perimeter strip cleared of combustible vegetation surrounding the urban community or structure and sized to serve as a firebreak between the forest stand and the community or structure to be protected.
  • the hydraulic system comprises water sprinklers capable of covering the protective perimeter strip. These water sprinklers are fed from at least one supply system or deposit by means of impeller pumps and conduits.
  • the invention therefore combines the creation of a protective perimeter strip by means of forestry activities with the installation of hydraulic and technical means which allow wetting said area for the purpose of increasing the dampness thereof, being able to further implement additives, preventing or obstructing the fire from spreading towards the interior of the urban community.
  • the hydraulic means can also be installed on the structure or building to be protected.
  • the protective perimeter strip is achieved by means of preventive forestry planning works in the perimeter strip and areas adjacent to the urban community or home to be protected, such that a firebreak area completely cleared of vegetation is produced, safely isolating the urban community or construction from the forest stand for which protection is desired.
  • the hydraulic system is then designed, preferably from existing deposits, such as swimming pools, water deposits, etc., although they can be built for that purpose if necessary.
  • the installation will comprise a series of conduits and impeller pumps which will preferably be supplied by means of a connection to the power grid and a generator which will provide the system with power independence because the power supply is usually interrupted in fire situations.
  • the water sprinklers can consist of water cannons which are assembled in columns arranged on the protective area.
  • the water sprinklers can consist of sprinklers which are assembled on the structure or building to be protected and are aimed at said structure. These water sprinklers can be assembled in a metal chassis and be complemented with water diffusers assembled in a protective perimeter strip surrounding or encircling the home.
  • the hydraulic system requires independent power autonomy, such that its operation is assured even if a power grid failure occurs so the automated part of said grid will be designed to operate with a photovoltaic solar power installation connected to batteries or a diesel pump, although it can also be connected to the power grid, and with an emergency activation method.
  • the system of the invention is applicable both for protecting urban communities and for lines of defense supported on infrastructures or for protecting isolated buildings and homes.
  • FIG. 1 shows a plan schematic view of the protection system of the invention applied to an urban community or area.
  • FIG. 2 shows an elevational view of part of the hydraulic system included in the system of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the application of the system of the invention to the protection of a home.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the system of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 shows an elevational view of an embodiment variant with respect to the system shown in FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a device for automatically activating specific water sprinklers, depending on the direction of the wind blowing at all times.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram of a control system with the device of FIG. 6 .
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows an urban community 1 which is surrounded by or close to a forest area 2 .
  • a protective area 3 isolating said community from the forest environment 2 is created around said urban community according to the system of the invention.
  • This area consists of a perimeter strip separating or surrounding the urban community with respect to the forest area 2 , which strip will be cleared of combustible vegetation to serve or act as a firebreak between the urban community 1 and the forest stand 2 .
  • Preventive forestry projects and works as well as forest clearing will be performed in the perimeter strip 3 such that there is a firebreak area or strip completely clear of vegetation, completely isolating the urban community 1 from the forest stand 2 .
  • a hydraulic water supply system is assembled in the area 3 that is capable of covering at least this protective area 3 .
  • hydrants connected in a network to a series of automated water monitors allowing remote activation are assembled in the area or strip for the purpose of isolating the urban community or the home to be protected from the forest area 2 .
  • This protection is achieved by means of the discontinuity of combustible vegetation and the creation of a damp area based on the mentioned hydrants.
  • the hydrants 4 can consist of water cannons 5 which are assembled on or supported by a column 6 fixed or assembled on a footing 7 , at the base of which there is a hydrant 8 with a shut-off valve 9 controlling the passage of water supplied through the conduit 10 from a supply system or from an existing water deposit, such as a swimming pool 11 or the like.
  • the installation further includes pumping equipment 12 taking the water from the deposit 11 and impelling it through the conduits 10 , the layout of which will be established according to the specific area where the fire defense is installed, the pipes being able to be buried or be above ground.
  • the impeller equipment 12 will be powered by a generator providing it with power independence.
  • the columns 6 supporting the hydrants 5 can fixed, based on towers assembled on footings 7 , as indicated, or they can be mobile, formed by movable supports.
  • a range varying between 15 and 70 meters can be achieved by means of the water cannons, which thereby allows projecting the water the desired distance such that the dampness of the vegetation is maintained, preventing the fire from spreading through the protective area 3 .
  • the system of the invention is also applicable to the protection of individual structures or buildings as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
  • a home 13 built within an area or plot 14 is protected by means of an installation comprising, as in the case of FIGS. 1 and 2 , conduits 10 through which, and by means of impeller equipment 12 , water is supplied under pressure, for example from a swimming pool 11 .
  • the conduits 10 can feed water cannons 5 and also sprinklers 15 assembled on the structure of the building 13 and aimed at it.
  • a peripheral protective area around the home 13 is thereby maintained through the cannons 5 , and at the same time the protection of the home 13 itself is assured by means of sprinklers 15 .
  • the system is based on the creation of protective perimeter strip or area by means of preventive forestry to attempt to isolate the urban community 1 or home 13 from the adjacent forest area 2 , or at least minimizing the spread of fire towards the area or structure to be protected, and in the subsequent hydraulic system, based on a system of water sprinklers or supply devices which, together with preventive forestry tasks, has the purpose of isolating the populated community from the forest area, and vice versa, along the entire perimeter by means of the creation of an area of discontinuity of combustible vegetation and a damp area.
  • Additives such as foaming agents, retardants, etc. . . . can be used through the hydraulic system in cases of dire need,
  • FIG. 5 shows an embodiment variant for protecting a building or home 13 including, as in the preceding cases, a water supply conduit 10 from a water containing deposit, such as a swimming pool, from where water is drawn in by impeller equipment 12 feeding many sprinklers 15 installed on the roof of the home or establishment 13 .
  • the conduit 10 can include shut-off valves 16 as well as an additive injection system 17 .
  • FIG. 6 shows a device responsible for automatically activating specific water cannons 5 or sprinklers 15 .
  • This device is formed by a weathervane 18 oriented by the action of the wind which is assembled with the ability to rotate freely in a base 19 , for example through a bearing 20 .
  • the base 19 has a series of sensors 21 .
  • the rod or mast 22 of the weathervane 18 has an arm 23 fixed thereto which is driven by the rotation of the weathervane 18 , facing a sensor 21 for activation thereof. The activation of this sensor will cause the installation to operate through the cannons 5 or sprinklers 15 which are located precisely on the side from where the wind originates and will be the area or the side at risk in the event of a fire in the adjacent forest stand.
  • FIG. 7 schematically shows a control system including a weathervane 24 which can correspond with the constitution of the device of FIG. 6 , and an air speed indicator 25 , the data of which is supplied to a home automation control system 26 for the automatic control of the self-protection system object of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Fluid-Damping Devices (AREA)
US14/371,583 2012-01-13 2013-01-14 System for self-protection against forest fires in an urban forest interface Abandoned US20140374127A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES201230046 2012-01-13
ES201230046A ES2414304B1 (es) 2012-01-13 2012-01-13 Sistema de autoprotección contra incendios forestales en interfaz urbana forestal
PCT/ES2013/070007 WO2013104817A2 (es) 2012-01-13 2013-01-14 Sistema de autoprotección contra incendios forestales en interfaz urbana forestal

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20140374127A1 true US20140374127A1 (en) 2014-12-25

Family

ID=47747660

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/371,583 Abandoned US20140374127A1 (en) 2012-01-13 2013-01-14 System for self-protection against forest fires in an urban forest interface

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20140374127A1 (es)
ES (1) ES2414304B1 (es)
WO (1) WO2013104817A2 (es)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11136772B2 (en) * 2017-12-04 2021-10-05 Montasser M. Elsawi Swimming pool filtration system with means to spray backwash away from the system
US20210308506A1 (en) * 2020-04-06 2021-10-07 Jeff Johnson Wide-Area Fire-Retardant System Using Distributed Dense Water Fogger

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2540157B1 (es) 2013-12-05 2016-04-13 Fernando ABAD MUÑOZ Lanza integral de apantallamiento para la autoprotección

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3179181A (en) * 1962-06-18 1965-04-20 Banzato Candido Fire protecting system
FR2344302A1 (fr) * 1976-03-19 1977-10-14 Fabre Gerard Procede pour la protection forestiere contre l'incendie et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre dudit procede
US4428434A (en) * 1981-06-19 1984-01-31 Gelaude Jonathon L Automatic fire protection system
US5165482A (en) * 1991-06-10 1992-11-24 Smagac Dennis E Fire deterrent system for structures in a wildfire hazard area
FR2702963A1 (fr) * 1993-03-22 1994-09-30 Landrieau Michel Equipement de surveillance et de protection d'un immeuble en cas d'incendie périphérique.
FR2859637B1 (fr) * 2003-09-17 2005-12-30 Patrice Andre Dispositif permettant de liberer un liquide sous pression sur des lieux tels que des maisons d'habitation, pour les preserver des risques d'incendie.
CA2486384A1 (en) * 2003-10-27 2005-04-27 George A. Treddenick Fire prevention fence
US20100071917A1 (en) * 2008-09-23 2010-03-25 Shlomo Lalouz Residential fire protection system and method
CN201299918Y (zh) * 2008-12-04 2009-09-02 周广连 消防供水设施在线监测装置
FR2947732B1 (fr) * 2009-07-08 2011-07-29 Desautel Systeme de lutte contre les incendies et procede correspondant

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11136772B2 (en) * 2017-12-04 2021-10-05 Montasser M. Elsawi Swimming pool filtration system with means to spray backwash away from the system
US20210308506A1 (en) * 2020-04-06 2021-10-07 Jeff Johnson Wide-Area Fire-Retardant System Using Distributed Dense Water Fogger

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2013104817A2 (es) 2013-07-18
ES2414304A1 (es) 2013-07-18
ES2414304B1 (es) 2014-01-21
WO2013104817A3 (es) 2014-04-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8794341B2 (en) Rain maker wildfire protection and containment system
US20160051850A1 (en) Fire Protection System
US20140209330A1 (en) Automated wildfire prevention and protection system for dwellings, buildings, structures and property
KR20070106398A (ko) 대형화재 초기진화 및 인명구조를 위한 소방방재 시스템.
US20180339180A1 (en) Wildfire suppression system
US20100071917A1 (en) Residential fire protection system and method
US20150129245A1 (en) Wildfire suppression system
US20060124321A1 (en) Fire retardant distribution system for wildfire protection
KR20080025706A (ko) 산불진화 무인자동화장치시설과 구조물
US20140374127A1 (en) System for self-protection against forest fires in an urban forest interface
WO2017019566A1 (en) Automated wildfire prevention and protection system for dwellings, buildings, structures and property
KR101331616B1 (ko) 산불방지용 수막타워
KR200400410Y1 (ko) 산불 진화용 양수 장치
CN203886054U (zh) 一种城市林区火险阻隔系统
CN105363154B (zh) 嵌入式可伸缩火灾救援设备
US7165626B2 (en) Fire prevention fence
Yoo et al. The study on application of automatic monitor system for initial fire suppression in double-deck tunnel
CN205127205U (zh) 嵌入式可伸缩火灾救援设备
AU2004241796A1 (en) System for the control and extinction of forest fires.
DE202009012096U1 (de) Windkraftanlagengestützte Feuerlöscheinrichtung
US20050199748A1 (en) Structural fire protection system
KR20070031974A (ko) 대형산불 초기진화를 위한 소방관창 및 진화방법
KR20200074614A (ko) 화재경계지구 타워형 스프링클러 장치
RU2780917C1 (ru) Магистральная трубопроводная противопожарная система
JP6707216B1 (ja) 屋根裏設置防火用貯水袋装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MEDI XXI GSA, S.L., SPAIN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DALMAU ROVIRA, FERRAN;REEL/FRAME:033359/0945

Effective date: 20140710

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION